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 There
are hundreds of small churches scattered through this country that
do little more than “keep house for the Lord,” and some are poor
house-keepers. We render them no real service by continually “fussing”
at them. Often they contain godly men and women who really want to
serve the Lord, but who are “psyched out” (as this generation
might put it) by their size and circumstances.
They
lay the blame on “this hard community,” or “poor location,”
or “no young people,” or “no older experienced leadership,”
or “no moneyed members.” Well, these things may be handicaps, or
they may become opportunities. Sometimes the lack of leadership
forces men who otherwise would wither away unused, to train
themselves. Wealth often divides a congregation, and its lack
encourages true democratic sharing of responsibility. I had much
rather work with a church of twenty members who gave $5. each, than
with nineteen who gave nothing and one who gave the $100. (Nor is
this a lack of appreciation for the able, liberal giver.) And
remember, the Devil does a great job from his “poor location.”
I
fear many are unduly influenced by worldly conceptions of “great
and good” things, and ”on the march” churches. Surrounded by
the ballyhoo of such, we may begin to think a church that isn’t
building a fancy edifice, sponsoring a “world-wide” project for
the “brotherhood,” or at the very least, making headlines with
its ball team, just “isn’t doing anything.” We dare to say
that even “responses” or baptisms are not necessarily proofs
that all is well; but we quake when we realize how few souls are
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being saved, and how little effort is made in that direction.
And
some true signs of growth and spiritual life may never be attained
by every church. Instead of measuring ourselves by others in
differing circumstances, why not take stock of our own assets, and
the potentials of our community, and determine the work we are best
fitted to do. You may have little opportunity to work with many
young people, but be peculiarly situated for service to a community
of retired folk. You may not attract great crowds to your building,
but reach thousands through a well-prepared publication or radio
program. I have known a few small country churches that served the
Lord well as “training grounds” for gospel preachers. They
listened patiently— maybe “endured” is the word— and gave
many young men the encouragement and confidence needed to go forth
into all the world. And you may scripturally assist in the support
of evangelists, at home and abroad. (2 Cor. 11:8)
But
do not substitute a check for genuine interest in spreading the
word. Owning a typewriter doesn’t make an author, nor a mimeograph
machine a qualified publisher. There is no short-cut to serving the
Lord, and whatever your undertaking, you must be fully dedicated and
well prepared. Without this, the large wealthy congregation spins
its wheels; and with it, the small, poor group of saints will
accomplish truly great things in the eyes of the Lord— for they
will be workers together with Him.
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